As the announcer's voice boomed across the arena, the crowd erupted in a roar of excitement.
The air buzzed with tension, rippling through the sea of disciples like an electric storm.
.
.
"What? A newcomer dares to challenge Lin Jie? Is he crazy?" one disciple blurted out, his voice dripping with disbelief.
"Nine wins in a row! Lin Jie is unstoppable!"
"Yang Lie? A rookie with no experience? He's walking to his own funeral!" another sneered, shaking his head in pity.
"If Yang Lie somehow pulls off a miracle, it'll be the upset of the century!" a more optimistic voice chimed in.
Laughter drowned him out.
"Ridiculous! Lin Jie may not be in the top hundred, but he's still ranked within the top five hundred of all Outer Sect disciples. That kid's asking for a beating."
"Have you seen the betting odds?" another disciple whispered conspiratorially.
"Lin Jie's odds are 10 to 1 against Yang Lie's! If that fool wins, the payout is tenfold. But if Lin Jie wins, you double your points."
"Tch, so what if it's tenfold? Yang Lie has no chance. Lin Jie is a Mid-Stage Qi Solidification Realm cultivator, and Yang Lie is barely at the Peak of Qi Refining Realm."
"I'm betting on Lin Jie for sure."
"Same here."
"Yeah, no sense throwing away my Sect Points," another scoffed.
Excitement and certainty fueled the wagers, the crowd overwhelmingly favoring Lin Jie.
.
.
From behind them, Reon listened.
A slight smile played on his lips.
He already knew how this story would end.
Yang Lie's cultivation might only be at the Peak Stage of the Qi Refining Realm, but his strength?
It rivaled even a High Stage Qi Solidification Realm cultivator.
Why?
Because he was the protagonist.
And because he had mastered a Low-Tier Rare-Grade Sword Technique—his system's reward for claiming third place in the Sect Disciple Selection Ceremony—he had refined it to the Intermediate Stage.
While the others blindly threw their Sect Points into the fire, convinced of Lin Jie's victory, Reon could already see the moment their arrogance would turn to despair.
Turning to Xu Yang, he spoke, his voice carrying quiet confidence.
"Xu Yang, do you trust me?"
Xu Yang blinked, taken aback by the sudden question. Yet, there was no hesitation in his answer.
"Yes, Big Brother."
Though he wasn't sure why Xue Taiyang was asking, Xu Yang met his gaze with unwavering trust, like a younger sibling relying on his elder.
"Good." Reon nodded. "How many Sect Points do you have?"
Xu Yang glanced away, a hint of embarrassment flickering across his face as he muttered, "It's only around 1,000, Big Brother."
"Alright. Bet it all on Yang Lie. Once he wins, give me half."
Xu Yang's eyes widened slightly.
Reon then checked Xue Taiyang's Sect Points—only to see a pitiful 500.
"This bastard. An Inner Sect disciple, yet he has fewer points than an Outer Sect disciple?"
"Unbelievable."
Suppressing a curse, Reon resolved to place his own bet on Yang Lie.
Xu Yang, though puzzled by Xue Taiyang's sudden certainty, did not question him.
Instead, he silently placed his wager, trusting that Big Brother's words were never without reason.
Reon sank into his seat, anticipation sparking in his eyes at the thought of earning Sect Points effortlessly—without even lifting a finger.
This was also his first time witnessing the protagonist in action.
And he intended to analyze every movement, every strategy—to see firsthand the talent that would one day shake the heavens.
.
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The arena quieted as the two fighters stepped forward.
Lin Jie smirked.
"Yang Lie, I've heard plenty about your so-called talent, but let's be real—you're just a Peak Stage Qi Refining Realm cultivator. Do yourself a favor and forfeit now. Spare yourself the humiliation."
Yang Lie smiled.
Calm.
Confident.
"I appreciate the concern," he said lightly, "but I'm certain of my victory."
Inside, he was already growing impatient.
"Why is this bastard rambling on so much? Let's get this over with so I can finish my System's Weekly Quest!"
Lin Jie's expression darkened.
"You've brought this on yourself, Yang Lie!"
With a roar, he charged forward.
.
.
Two minutes later...
Silence.
A stunned, absolute silence swallowed the arena.
The crowd, once bursting with confidence in Lin Jie, now stood frozen, unable to process what they had just witnessed.
Even the announcer—who had been ready to call the fight in Lin Jie's favor before it began—stood slack-jawed, speechless.
Reon's eyes narrowed slightly.
Two moves.
That was all it had taken.
Two moves, and Lin Jie was defeated.
Even Reon, despite his expectations, couldn't help but be slightly taken aback at the sheer effortlessness of it.
Then again...
This was Yang Lie.
The one destined to become the Supreme Sword Immortal.
This much was only natural.
Yang Lie turned to the announcer, an amused glint in his eye.
"Well?" he prompted. "Aren't you going to declare my victory?"
The announcer snapped back to reality.
"Ah! Yes! The victory goes to Yang Lie!"
As his voice boomed across the arena, the system chimed in Yang Lie's mind.
[Ding! The Host has completed the Weekly Quest. Rewards have been stored in Inventory.]
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"T-This..."
"Impossible! He—he defeated Lin Jie in only two moves?!"
"Forget about the fight, you fool! I just lost all my Sect Points!"
"Me too!"
"Same here!"
Despair swept through the crowd like a plague.
Disciples clutched their heads in agony, some even falling to their knees as realization struck—their Sect Points were gone.
Reon barely had a moment to relish the sweet taste of victory when he noticed something.
A group of Outer Sect disciples moving toward him.
Their expressions were dark.
Their steps deliberate.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Ah, it seems trouble can't resist finding me," he mused, a tinge of frustration flickering through him.
And yet, beneath it all, a slow smirk curled at the corner of his lips.
"They're here."